[CLOSED] You hate my bad behavior

[illithidnapped]

WHO: Astarion, Loki, Emet-Selch, Dante, possibly others etc
WHAT: catch all for doing some Good for the Cause
WHEN: somewhere around the week following Satinalia party 2.0
WHERE: various
NOTES: violence, brief gore (noted in the specific subject line)

Comments

[illithidnapped]

"And they've all gone to plan? No terrible mishaps? No attempts at framing you for anything that might go awry?"

How many friends does the Ascian truly have aside from Astarion himself. How many people let themselves come in close, knowing what he is. What he's done.

[arkitect]

"None thus far. I can only assume that any so inclined would not be quite so bold-- or simply refuse to work with me to have the opportunity."

He shrugs, at that. Yes, he still always has an eye over one shoulder, assuming others may be biding their time... but he is less on edge than he was at the beginning. Watchful, but somewhat less paranoid.

[illithidnapped]

"Hm."

Absent, that sound. As thoughtful as it is inconclusive. Soft as featherdown besides, let out from where he's draped across meager bedding.

"So then you must be doing well in the eyes of our fastidious leaders, what with all those completed goals tucked against your palm."

[arkitect]

"I should certainly hope I am in better standing, given that I have assisted at least one of them personally."

He's helped neutralize an explosive with one of them, he thinks he had better be doing well in their eyes after keeping the entirety of the Gallows from going up in burning red, thank you very much.

"Now, what is it that you're getting at."

[illithidnapped]

“Just trying to get the scope of it. How things might go over if we somehow miss detecting a nasty little curse— or vice versa.” Admittedly a possibly for failure lurks within any assignment.

This one in particular, though, rests much higher.

“Nobles are undeniably finicky. If she decides, no matter how in the right we are, that we’re simple thieves here to ruin her. Well.” His lips purse, head tilting to one side as he waves a few fingers ditheringly in midair.

“Riftwatch might not be happy with the results.”

[arkitect]

"I rarely take you for one so worried over the possibility of failure."

Said with an arched brow, still watching him. Evaluating, maybe.

"Of course I am aware of the risks. I do not engage in such undertakings without this being so, and had I weighed it likely to result in both failure and an adverse impact, I would have refused to attend."

[illithidnapped]

Ah. That look is telling.

Astarion’s attracted too much focus.

He counters it by glancing away, sinking listlessly into performative innocuity: posture lax and rounded, tone seemingly uncaring.

“Maybe I’m just worried about you, my darling.”

[arkitect]

He continues watching, for a moment-- before he exhales a sigh.

"Yes, yes, I'm sure you are." Idle, dismissive. "Worry less about the undesirable results, and more about achieving better ones. I am going to go and bathe."

Whatever prompted all this, he doubts Astarion will simply say, and so he doesn't ask now. They still have their work, and things to take care of before it truly ensues.

[illithidnapped]

The door shuts behind Emet-Selch as he leaves.

Two days later, the door to the Lady Sibilla‘s estate slams shut behind them without so much as a parting word spoken by the staff.

Astarion’s tongue clicks against the back of his teeth, a kind of mild, almost spectating sort of sound— as if they hadn’t just been thrown out.

“Well.” He starts, glancing over their unarrested yet entirely unharmed selves.

“That went well.”

(It did not go well.)

[arkitect]

It did not go well.

Emet-Selch maintained his composure well enough while inside, but after the fact--

He's already walking off at a brisk pace, not all the way to furious but certainly steaming.

"Then we will reevaluate," he says, curt. Evidently he's not considering this a full failure just yet.

[illithidnapped]

“You’re not giving up?” He asks, surprise coloring his expression as he doggedly trots along after Emet-Selch— head cocked to one side.

[arkitect]

"We came here with an objective, did we not? The thing is certainly cursed."

He's had enough of a look at it to determine as much in the process. Emet-Selch continues right on, not walking so much as stalking, still thoroughly irritated.

"Though I suppose petty theft is right out. We would be immediately suspected, after this. Still, a feasible alternative may well present itself, with some thought."

[illithidnapped]

“An objective that— now failed— will only wind up making a nasty fuss, they’ll then realize they were wrong, and then we’ll be able to swoop right in and say we told them so.”

Said as he fans his hand, pressing it to the center of his chest as though basking in his own certainty.

“See? All fine. No extra effort required.”

[arkitect]

"Or it causes a larger problem in the process, with which we will still need to contend."

His steps slow just enough to draw a little more even with Astarion, giving him a sidelong glance.

"Unconcerned, are you?"

[illithidnapped]

“What, do you expect me to weep? It’s a job, darling. We did everything we could.”

The gesture Astarion adopts next makes it seem as though he’s checking his nails, which— given that he’s wearing thick leather gloves— can’t possibly be the case.

“Don’t worry, I’ll put in a good word for you once we get back.”

[arkitect]

"I'm hardly worried about that."

Did they actually do everything they could, is the thing-- he lingers another moment, then waves a hand as he exhales a sigh, moving on.

"Take it as you will for now, but if we are ultimately called back as a result, I am going to expect your full assistance."

[illithidnapped]

The fact that Astarion insisted on flattering the beauty of her acquired pendant prior to it being appraised as thoroughly, entirely possessed likely didn’t help.

But really, who’s keeping tally of the blame?

“And you’ll have it, I swear.” Soft, coaxing, insistent.

“If you’re really that bothered we can always stick around for a few days more. Wait until she starts beckoning servants to their deaths or conjuring up spirits at her next dinner party.”

[arkitect]

Who, indeed.

(Emet is, but refrains from assigning it aloud, for now.)

"I do mean your full assistance," he reiterates, before turning his attention back to the path onward. "But I do believe I would prefer to stay another day or two, regardless of the situation."

[illithidnapped]

“The cost of cooperation is steep, apparently.”

Astarion murmurs, his lips pursing just so as he realizes— by way of that reiteration— that some part of his little game’s been seen through.

The fact that Emet-Selch isn’t outright demanding more than the bribe of more time away from the Gallows is a decidedly fortunate thing, he thinks.

[arkitect]

"It often is. Really, I didn't think you would complain."

It's more time away for Astarion as well, after all, and he's seen how the man feels about Kirkwall as a whole.

Another few steps in silence, before he asks, "Do you mean to explain, or must I insist first?"

[illithidnapped]

"Technically I'm not." Astarion counters initially, scuffing the edges of gloved knuckles somewhere just beneath his own collarbone. "Complaining, that is."

The opportunity to roam— free of anchor shard pain— is a luxury even Astarion won't look directly in the mouth, even if it comes with the caveat of being actively perceived by his own partner in unwitting crime. Which, to that extent:

Explain, Emet-Selch says, and it has the immediate effect of sinking the set of Astarion's stare, effectively making him look more akin to a scolded dog for a few, tepid beats.

"I..." He blinks. Opens his mouth before shutting it again. "I don't know what you mean."

[arkitect]

"Yes, I'm sure you don't," he says with a sigh. Honestly, that reaction just clears any lingering doubt there may be, and he doesn't say more for a moment, choosing what he wants to actually say.

"I have no intention of it going anywhere save between the two of us. This is hardly an interrogation, you realize, but if I am to work with you-- especially if I am to make excuses for this as well-- then I should think you could at least tell me what in the world is going on."

It's almost a little familiar, makes him think for a moment of sighing and agreeing to help a friend who tended to liberally skirt guidelines from what would be well deserved (in his opinion) censure. Emet-Selch is certain Astarion has very different reasons, compared to what theirs often were, but... well, at least he has experience here.

[illithidnapped]

The assurance helps, at least.

Granted it could be a lie, and there was— some time well before now, possibly even a month or two ago— a point where Astarion would've taken this as a bid at simply coaxing him into dropping his guard. A lie. A trap. The back and forth of clever creatures destined to always need to stay one step ahead of each other.

Right now, though, for better or worse, he believes the Ascian.

But then again, how does Astarion even begin to explain it?

"They don't deserve it, you know."

Like that, apparently. That's how he opts to start.

[arkitect]

It's a start, at least. He'd half expected Astarion to simply deflect, or to put it off if he did mean to answer. As far as places to begin go, it isn't a terrible one.

"Deserve what, precisely-- the effort expended, or are you speaking of something separate?"

Clarification, first, before carrying on.

[illithidnapped]

"The people here. This world. Everything they set about demanding— expecting from us."

It'd come with the bliss of freedom, and for that, to some extent, Astarion knows he should be grateful. But bitterness burns like bile in his throat, boiling deep within his skin. A resentment he doesn't know how to let go of, prompting the whole of his posture to close off for one tepid beat, arms folding.